Economics - Phoning from the Philippines

Move over India - Manila is the new call center capital of the world. With its English-speaking workforce, geopolitical stability and embracement of Western culture, the Philippines is fast becoming the worlds hottest destination for call centers. Established in just a decade, the outsourcing industry now employs 420,000 workers and accounts for five percent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP), or roughly $11bn in revenue. The country is also an attractive backroom for small to medium-sized companies in Western countries because it is a comfortable timezone to work in and there is cost savings of up to 70 percent. An estimated 80 percent of all call centers are in Manila, but outsourcing hubs are also opening in the provinces, bringing roads, airports and jobs to poor areas.